In 2005, Senegal established a national program framework for achieving the MDGs in the water and sanitation sector: the Water Supply and Sanitation Program for the Millennium (MRE).

Communication activities were one of the identified approaches for contributing to the achievement of the MRE objectives.

Since then, multiple communication approaches have been implemented including CLTS.

The Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Health and Social Action, with the support of development partners and civil society are:

(I) implementing, as part of the new strategy for rural sanitation, communication activities for behavior change,(Ii) carrying out the scaling up of CLTS to reduce OD rates to 25% in 2017, 13% in 2025 to reach complete elimination by 2030.

To date, CLTS is implemented in 14 regions of Senegal with satisfactory progress.

Main resultsApproximately 2,351 villages have been triggered and 1,352 villages have been declared ODF. More than 20,000 latrines, most equipped with hand washing devices were constructed by the communities. Community mechanisms for financing the building of latrines are in place (Tontines, solidarity funds ...) and CLTS local committees were set up. Nearly 950,000 people live in ODF communities.

The main strengths are:

Collective ownership of the approach by the people who give a high priority to sanitation and hygiene

The involvement of administrative and local authorities and village chiefs, CBOs

Handwashing with soap is a daily routine in several villages where Tippy Taps have been installed